The 14th of August has been fixed upon for the adjournment of Congress. Much important business remains to be acted up on, and it is said to be impossible for it to adjourn at the time appointed, without serious injury to the best interests of the country. Among the important bills pending are those for the increase of pay of the officers of the Army who are continually quitting the service because they cannot support themselves as becomes their station.
They have many privations to encounter unknown to citizens in other walks of life. They cannot better their pecuniary condition by any of the thousand avenues open to others; and if not suitably sustained by the magnanimity of the Government, education, energy, and the disposition to acquire, are to them of no avail. Would it not be displaying a sordid want of patriotism—would it not be bending the servile knee to mammon, and owning its supremacy to refuse the gallant officers of our Army a compensation not only equal to their necessities, but worthy of the stars and stripes entrusted to their protection.
Congress, it is true, sits longer than necessary, and if members would go to work at the start, there would be no necessity for adjourning until all the business is finished. But as they have taken up the forepart of the session in wind-work, we want them now to sit until Christmas, rather than leave the important business unfinished.
Washington Telegraph, Washington, AR, July 12, 1854